Astrophil and Stella 72: Desire, though thou my old companion art

By Sir Philip Sidney

Desire, though thou my old companion art,

And oft so clings to my pure Love that I

One from the other scarcely can descry,

While each doth blow the fire of my heart,

Now from thy fellowship I needs must part;

Venus is taught with Dian’s wings to fly;

I must no more in thy sweet passions lie;

Virtue’s gold now must head my Cupid’s dart.

Service and honor, wonder with delight,

Fear to offend, will worthy to appear,

Care shining in mine eyes, faith in my sprite:

These things are let me by my only dear;

But thou, Desire, because thou wouldst have all,

Now banished art. But yet alas how shall?